Net-Zero Heroes: Congregation Beth Israel
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Meet the Net-Zero Heroes of Congregation Beth Israel: Leon Barish, Jennifer Smith, David Todd, Forrest Novy, and Rabbi Steven Folberg (not pictured above). A few years back, this team helped lead an effort to install a rooftop solar array at their place of worship. The project was a great success and ended up being an opportunity to teach their fellow congregants, as well as the larger faith community, about the benefits of renewable energy.
We spoke to them about their commitment to Net-Zero, what their toughest challenges were, and what advice they had for others.
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Do you know a sustainable superstar who should be recognized as a Net-Zero Hero? Send your nominations to sustainability@austintexas.gov.
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Austin's new Central Library goes solar
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As Austin’s new Central Library enters the completion stage, one of the items on the to-do list is to inspect the rooftop solar system that will help power the library with renewable energy from the sun. The solar installation was the result of a close collaboration between Austin Energy, the Office of Sustainability, and the Public Works Department. It is comprised of three arrays, with a total of 567 solar panels which total 182 kW-dc. This is the equivalent of 21 average Austin residences’ annual energy consumption.
Dubbed the “library of the future,” the new Central Library will feature modern technology that is green and cost-effective. For example, electronic shades will automatically raise and lower depending on the brightness and heat, rainwater collected on-site will fill toilets and irrigate the surrounding landscaping, and solar panels on the main building and over the rooftop garden will power about a third of the building.
Read more about solar at the library, see pictures, and don't forget to attend the library's grand opening on October 28!
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October 19 proclaimed 'Good Food for Austin Day'
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October is a busy month for sustainable eating! Last week, Mayor Steve Adler proclaimed Oct. 19 as "Good Food for Austin Day", in celebration of our City's partnership with the Good Food Purchasing Program. Through the program, our office has been working with the Austin Independent School District, the Austin Convention Center, and the University of Texas at Austin to apply Good Food Purchasing guidelines to the meals served at each entity. The aim of the program is to increase the amount of food that is produced sustainably, humanely, and locally.
The very same day, the Feeding the 5,000 event was held on the lawn of the Texas State Capitol. At the event, a communal feast was served for 5,000 people using food that would otherwise have been wasted. The event speakers included Senator Kirk Watson, representatives from various City departments and partner food agencies, as well as our very own Food Policy Manager, Edwin Marty.
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Experience art in the EcoDistrict: Open Room Austin
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If you’ve visited the Seaholm EcoDistrict area, you’ve probably seen the large red and white picnic table that looks like something right out of Alice in Wonderland. But, what you might not know is that this is a piece of public art! As a rule, any eligible large-scale City construction project — called a Capital Improvement Project — must have two percent of the project’s budget dedicated for public art. This piece, called Open Room Austin, was done as part of the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge project.
The sculpture’s 24-foot-long table, lacey “tablecloth”, benches, and lighting structures — combined with the surrounding crepe myrtle trees — help create an al fresco “room” for Austinites and visitors to share. Since its installation in 2010, the piece has played a central role in wedding photos, parties, ice cream socials, bike tours, dog walks, and spontaneous salons. Open Room Austin was also recognized in the Austin Chronicle’s annual “Best of” list as the “best place to have an impromptu dance party.”
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Go see for yourself! Tour the Seaholm EcoDistrict
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We included a lot of information about the Seaholm EcoDistrict in this issue, but we couldn't fit everything! Download the TravelStorys app to take a free, self-guided audio walking tour of the district and learn even more about this special area. Impress your out-of-town friends by taking them along and teaching them about our great city and Austin's commitment to being green.
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